Book Review and Show & Tell From September

I'm not in the habit of buying many quilt patterns or books but sometimes there a book or tool that really tempts me.  The patterns of Jenny Pedigo and Helen Robinson from Sew Kind of Wonderful were just that interesting.

While at the Quilt Expo in Madison this month, I tried to find their patterns or ruler but the opening day of the Expo was really packed with viewers and difficult to get into the vendor booths and look around.  We did stop at Nancy's Notions in Baraboo on the way home and there I was able to find a book and ruler by the Sew Kind of Wonderful ladies.

 The book is Contemporary Curved Quilts and it came with the ruler which you do need for the patterns that they design.  There is a free pattern on the ruler which I did first.  My first two curves were terrible but got better after that and they do say to practice.  It is a nice gentle curve and you do not need pins.

This was my first piece, I picked some Christmas fabric that I was not going to be upset over if it didn't turn out and I made it into a long table runner.

This is what the ruler looks like.  There is a slot for your rotary cutter and various measurements for the patterns.  It makes short work of cutting those curves.

The next piece I am working on is the Crazy Eights Pillow.  I cut too many pieces and can now make two pillows, oh darn!  Here's something that I'm not sure why I didn't think of before.  The pillow form for this pattern is a regular bed size pillow not those expensive pillow forms that are usually square.  I love the bed size pillow, it's what we'd prefer on our sofa anyway.  When these are complete, I will bring in to show.

This is what the shapes look like on part of that pillow.  It came together well, not perfect but fun.

So far with my experience with this book and ruler, I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to sew something different, pushing your skills a bit and maybe wanting a more contemporary quilting experience.  I am seriously looking at more of their patterns on their website.  The other thing that I found helpful was their blog which has many tips and videos about their patterns and use of the ruler

September was great month for show and tell and our members produce!!!  Here are some of the beautiful quilts.  If your quilt is not here, it's because of a fuzzy or bad photo not a slight.

These last two photos are of Donna Kallner a fiber artist from our area who did a wonderful demonstration of low immersion dyeing for our group.  We all loved the beautiful fabrics she is able to create and she is a fountain of information.

If anyone has a book or tool that they would like to review, just tell me and I'll get your review into our blog.  Any pictures would be good too.  Diana